“Plants of the Gods” and their hallucinogenic powers in neuropharmacology — A review of two books
Surgical neurology international July 12, 2021 Miguel Faria 2 citations
The term "Plants of the Gods" describes plants with hallucinogenic or mind-altering substances that many primitive cultures worldwide consider sacred, using them in religious rituals to communicate with gods or ancestors, as well as in healing rites. While modern societies often use them recreationally, such experiences are not always euphoric. The book "Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers" compiles ethnographic, historic, and neuropharmacologic information on hallucinogenic plants, their psychological and sociological impact in primitive societies, and notes that behavioral side effects and toxic manifestations can lead to neurological deficits or psychiatric conditions, placing affected individuals in the realm of neuropsychiatry.